Slopped roof flashing system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A flanged counter flashing unit, flashing system and method is described for weather proofing the juncture of a brick wall overlying a vertical parapet wall and the edge of a sloped roof. The one-piece counter flashing unit of the flashing system has a vertical slit into which is securely fitted the low upstanding side of a J-Channel flashing positioned at the juncture and the vertical leaf member of an L-shaped roof flashing that is flush with the outer face of the upstanding low side of the J-Channel flashing, including a flange section of the counter flashing unit that extends laterally from the top edge of the counter flashing apron and partially over the J-Channel and an apron adapted for overlying the vertical leaf member of the L-shaped flashing. The J-Channel flashing, L-shaped flashing and flanged counter flashing are included in the flashing system of the present invention. According to the method of the present invention, when the flashing system is positioned at the juncture, the brick wall is constructed from within the J-channel so that the counter flashing flange is included in the brick wall. This method eliminates the need for a separate method step of attaching counter flashing to the brick wall at an angle to the horizontal plane of the brick wall after its construction by means of a gouge cut across the brick wall for that purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flashing system using a novel counter flashing and method adapted for use in buildings in order to weather proof the juncture between a slopped roof and a vertical parapet wall of masonry material. A gable, for example, has two vertical parapet walls extending from the surface of a sloped roof forming a sloping juncture between each vertical wall of the gable and its corresponding edge of the sloped roof. It is imperative to seal this juncture from moisture that can penetrate the framework of the building resulting in the accumulation of moisture contributing to mold growth and decay of the framework. The use of roof transition flashing is therefore required. Specifically, the present invention relates to so-called brick on wood applications where the vertical parapet wall is covered with a masonry wall preferably of brick and mortar forming a brick veneer.

In the conventional method, the brick wall is constructed from the channel of a one-piece J-channel flashing shaped like a squared “J”. The channel has two upstanding sides, one higher than the other, separated by a bottom or pan section forming the one-piece channel. The J-Channel flashing is positioned at the juncture of the parapet wall and the slopping deck of the roof so that the upstanding high side of the J-Channel is flush with the parapet wall, the pan or bottom is flush with the slopping roof deck and the upstanding low side of the J-channel is rising from the slopping deck, standing alone and opposite the upstanding high side of the J-Channel. The purpose of constructing the brick wall from within the J-Channel is to direct moisture that has seeped through the brick veneer into the J-channel and away from the roof by force of gravity, utilizing the slop of the roof for this purpose. In order to protect the underlying parapet wall from seeping moisture, a cavity is provided between the brick veneer and underlying parapet wall so that moisture seeping through the brick wall flows down into the channel that acts like a gutter, directing water away from the building and protecting the juncture and parapet wall from exposure to the elements.

A roof flashing is also usually provided that is L-shaped, having a vertical leaf section that is flush with the outer face of the low side of the J-Channel flashing and a horizontal section that is positioned underneath the roof covering material in order to channel water that has seeped into the edge of the roof covering material away from the roof, and to protect the roof deck from exposure from moisture. When shingles are used to cover a slopping roof, single pieces of L-shaped step flashing are frequently employed, the horizontal sections being sandwiched between adjacent layers of overlapping shingles from top to bottom of the slopped roof. Therefore, when the brick wall is built-up from within the J-Channel there are two upstanding sections of exposed flashing protruding from the roof surface at the juncture of the brick wall and the edge of the roof covering material: the vertical low side of the J-Channel flashing and the vertical leaf section of the L-shaped flashing. Both are flush with each other and flush with the base of the brick wall. Counter flashing, therefore, must be employed to protect these exposed flashing sections from exposure to rainwater and moisture.

In the case of flat roof and brick wall transitions, the juncture of the brick wall and flat roof edge lies on a horizontal plane, so that the counter flashing can be attached directly to the same mortar joint between adjacent layers of bricks extending over the entire length of the juncture. This is accomplished by laying an anchor along one such horizontal mortar joint during construction of the brick wall, providing a means for attachment of a counter flashing apron following construction of the brick wall. In this instance, a two element counter flashing system is employed. This system, however, is not suitable in the case of slopped roof transitions because the brick wall and roof edge juncture lies at an angle to the bricks instead of on a horizontal plane parallel to the layout of the bricks. Because the counter flashing must be parallel to the slopping juncture in order to provide effective counter flashing for the low side of the J-Channel and vertical leaf section of the L-shaped roof flashing, the completed brick wall or veneer must be gouged in parallel relationship to the slope of the roof and the counter flashing attached and sealed in the gouge with extraneous material, such as, adhesive sealant. There are disadvantages, however, that are associated with this method of counter flashing. First, the gouge in the brick wall, although critical for proper attachment of counter flashing, is frequently crude where cutting is performed through disparate densities of brick and mortar. Also, an adhesive sealant must properly be introduced into the gouge or grove to secure and protect against moisture penetration and for secure attachment of the counter flashing anchor. Furthermore, this procedure extends the time for completing installation of all flashing, the construction of the brick wall falling between installation of the initial flashing, including J-Channel and L-shaped roof flashing, and completion of the job by attaching the counter flashing to the brick wall after its construction. This requires the return of the flashing artisan to the job site. As a result, additional labor and material costs are incurred. The possibility also exists that attaching the counter flashing anchor and sealing it in the gouge or grove of the brick wall is performed improperly, creating an opportunity for moisture penetration into the brick wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to eliminate the need for the added step of installing counter flashing after construction of the brick wall. It is therefore an object of the present invention to save labor and material costs in the installation of transition flashing for slopped roofs common to many residential structures. According to the present invention, this is accomplished by interfitting specific sections of the J-Channel and L-shaped roof transition flashing with a counter flashing adapted for this purpose before constructing the brick wall. It is therefore an object of the present invention to have all necessary flashing in place prior to starting construction of the brick wall. Accordingly, a one-piece counter flashing with a flange section and a slit is provided so that the brick wall can be built from within the J-channel to include the flange section in the brick wall. The exposed transition flashing sections, such as, the low J-channel side and vertical leaf of the L-shaped roof flashing are securely fitted in the slit of the counter flashing of the present invention and thus protected from exposure. The present invention also includes a method of installing flashing that eliminates the necessity of gouging the brick wall and installing and sealing an anchor in the gouge for removable attachment of the counter flashing apron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flashing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the one-piece counter flashing according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the one-piece flanged counter flashing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flashing system and brick wall under construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the one-piece counter flashing 10 of the present invention has a flange 16 extending laterally from the top edge 14 of the apron 12. As shown, the flange 16 is turned downwardly upon itself in the manner of a hairpin to form a lip 18 from which a vertical planar section 20 extends downwardly in substantial parallel and spaced relationship to the apron 12 forming a slit 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the counter flashing 10 is adapted for interfitting with a J-Channel flashing 26 and L-shaped roof flashing 36 a. Specifically, as shown in in FIG. 4, the vertical leaf section 38 a of the L-shaped roof flashing 36 a is positioned flush with the outer face of the low side 30 of the J-Channel flashing 26. Both low side 30 and vertical leaf section 38 a are securely fitted in the slit 24 so that the apron 12 overlies the vertical leaf section 38 a protecting the vertical leaf section 38 a and low side 30 from exposure to rain water. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal section 40 a of the L-shaped flashing 36 a protects the roof deck 42 against any moisture seeping into the comer of the L-shaped flashing 36 a below the indented flange 22. Accordingly, a lip 62 at the terminus of the horizontal section 40 a is provided in order to trap such moisture and insure that such moisture will run off in the space 64 between the roof covering material and the horizontal section 40 a. It is noted that the L-shaped roof flashing 36 shown in FIG. 1 is a plurality of step flashing units, the vertical leaf sections 38 protruding above the edge of the shingles 56 while the underlying horizontal sections 40 are sandwiched between adjacent layers of shingles 58 from top to bottom of the slopped roof 48. The L-shaped roof flashing 36 can also fabricated to form the single unit of L-shaped flashing 36 a in FIG. 4, extending the length of the juncture, having a continuous vertical leaf section 38 a upstanding at the edge of the roof covering material 44 and a continuous horizontal section 40 a positioned between the roof covering material 44 and roof deck 42.

Once the flashing units are in position and fitted together, the system according to the present invention is complete and construction of the brick wall can begin. The wall is built up from within the J-channel 28 as shown in FIG. 4, forming a brick veneer over the underlying parapet wall 50, usually made of framed wood covered by protective sheathing 52. As shown therein, the flange 16 is included between layers of bricks 46 in the wall during its construction. A cavity 54 is provided extending vertically from within the J-channel 28 between the bricks 46 and the parapet wall 50, so that moisture that has seeped through the brick veneer can migrate down the interior of the veneer inside the cavity 54 to the surface of the pan section 34 of the J-channel 28. The J-Channel 28 therefore serves as a gutter allowing moisture to run off due to the slope of the roof 48. The J-channel 28 itself is formed by the high side 32 of the J-Channel flashing 26 flush with the parapet wall 50, and the low side 30 separated by the pan section 34 that forms the bottom section of the J-channel 28. As shown in FIG. 4, a flange 60, extending from the top edge of the low side 30 at an angle to the outer face of the low side 30 and over the vertical leaf section 38 a is provided to guard against migrating moisture. Specifically, the flange 60 guards against moisture that has seeped into cavity 54 and downward into J-Channel 28 from migrating from the J-channel 28 to the interface between the outer face of the low side 30 and the vertical leaf section 38 a that is flush with the low side 30.

In the initial construction of the masonry wall from within the channel 28, the bricks 46 must be mitered to account for the angle of the slopped roof 48 because the brick wall is constructed on a horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 1. When the brick wall has been constructed, only the apron 12 of the one-piece counter flashing 10 is visible and aesthetically pleasing.

Each unit of flashing system of the present invention is preferably made from fabricated sheet metal that is cut, bent, folded and shaped accordingly. The counter flashing 10 of the present invention is preferably made of one piece of sheet metal, although other suitable material can be used. The interior of the J-Channel flashing 26 and J-Channel 28 is preferably coated with a polymeric material, such as, a commercially available rubber-based material known as “Carsile” to protect against mold growth.

According to the method of the present invention, the separate step of installing the counter flashing after the brick veneer has been constructed is eliminated by assembling and installing all flashing units comprising the system of the present invention before beginning construction of the brick veneer, thus avoiding the necessity of gouging the veneer to form a groove for attaching the counter flashing. This is accomplished by the flanged counter flashing 10 and slit 24 specifically fabricated for fitting with the J-Channel flashing 26 and L-shaped roof flashing 36. When properly positioned, the flange section 16 will extend partially over the J-Channel 28 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 to be included as an integral component in the brick veneer.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications ans alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. An interfitting roof transition flashing system for installation to a building at a juncture between a vertical masonry wall and an edge of a slopped roof comprising: a J-Channel flashing and a one-piece flanged counter flashing, said J-Channel flashing having a high upstanding side and a low upstanding side that are separated by a pan section forming a channel for constructing a vertical masonry wall from within said channel, said flanged counter flashing having an apron adapted to overlie the vertical leaf section of an L-shaped roof flashing that is positioned at the edge of said slopped roof and flush with the outer face of said low side of said J-channel flashing and a flange extending generally laterally from the upper edge of said apron and partially over said J-Channel, said flange being turned downwardly upon itself in the manner of a hairpin to form a lip from which a vertical planar section extends downwardly in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to said apron forming a slit there between, so that when said roof transition flashing system has been installed said low side of said J-Channel flashing and vertical leaf section of said L-shaped roof flashing are securely fitted inside said slit.
 2. The interfitting roof transition flashing system of claim 1 wherein said apron terminates with an obtusely angled flange bent in the direction of said vertical leaf section of said L-shaped roof flashing.
 3. The interfitting roof transition flashing system of claim 1 wherein the interior of said J-Channel flashing is coated with a polymeric material.
 4. The interfitting roof transition flashing system of claim 1 wherein said vertical masonry wall is composed of brick and mortar.
 5. A method of counter flashing a vertical leaf section of an L-shaped roof flashing positioned at the juncture between the edge of a slopped roof and a vertical masonry wall and flush with the outer face of the low upstanding side of a J-Channel flashing, eliminating the need for cutting into the masonry wall and attaching counter-flashing to overlie said vertical leaf section after construction of the masonry wall, which comprises: interfitting said J-Channel upstanding low side and said vertical leaf section with a one-piece flanged counter flashing in order to overlie said vertical leaf section prior to construction of said masonry wall, said counter flashing having an apron adapted to overlie said vertical leaf section and a flange extending generally laterally from the upper edge of said apron and partially over said J-Channel, said flange being turned downwardly upon itself in the manner of a hairpin to form a lip from which a vertical planar section extends downwardly in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to said apron forming a slit there between, so that said low upstanding side of said J-Channel flashing and vertical leaf section of said L-shaped roof flashing are securely fitted inside said slit prior to construction of said masonry wall; and constructing said masonry wall from within said J-Channel and including said flange as an integral component of said masonry wall.
 6. The method of claim 5 including coating the interior of said J-Channel flashing with a polymeric material prior to installation.
 7. The method of claim 5 including an obtusely angled flange bent in the direction of the vertical leaf section of said L-shaped roof flashing at the terminus of said apron.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein said masonry wall is composed of brick and mortar.
 9. A one-piece counter flashing adapted for interfitting with the low upstanding side of a J-Channel flashing and a vertical leaf section of an L-shaped roof flashing that is flush with the outer face of said low upstanding side of said J-Channel flashing for application to the juncture between a vertical masonry wall and the edge of a slopped roof comprising: an apron adapted to overlie said vertical leaf section and a flange extending generally laterally from the upper edge of said apron, said flange being turned downwardly upon itself in the manner of a hairpin to form a lip from which a vertical planar section extends downwardly in substantially parallel and spaced relationship to said apron forming a slit there between, so that when said one-piece counter flashing has been installed said J-Channel flashing low side and said vertical leaf section are securely fitted inside said slit and said flange extends partially over said J-Channel flashing.
 10. The one-piece counter flashing of claim 9 wherein said apron terminates with an obtusely angled flange bent in the direction of the vertical leaf section of said L-shaped roof flashing.
 11. The one-piece counter flashing of claim 9 wherein said vertical masonry wall is composed of brick and mortar. 